Michigan State to host four-star 2024 QB Tyler Cherry

Michigan State is set to host four-star quarterback in the class of 2024, Tyler Cherry of Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove High School this afternoon, a source confirms to SpartanMag.com. Cherry has been committed to Duke since May of 2023, originally recruited by the previous Spartan staff, along with Penn State, Pittsburgh, Illinois, and others.

With the recent coaching changes at Duke, former head coach Mike Elko having left for Texas A&M, and Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz taking over the Blue Devil program, Cherry has begun to explore his options again. The four-star recently visited with Curt Cignetti and his new staff at Indiana, and will now head to East Lansing to visit with Jonathan Smith and the new Michigan State staff.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder is coming off a strong senior season, winning Indiana Mr. Football a the quarterback position in 2023. Cherry threw for 5,461 passing yards and 54 touchdown passes. Michigan State is need of rebuilding their quarterback room under new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren as senior Noah Kim, redshirt freshman Katin Houser, and true freshman Sam Leavitt.

Michigan State and Lindgren will also welcome highly touted transfer portal QB Aidan Chiles for an official visit over the weekend. Chiles threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. Chiles also ran for 79 yards and three touchdowns.

RELATED: Michigan State set to host Oregon State transfer TE Jack Velling

Ideally for the Spartans, landing Chiles out of the transfer portal and then aiming to sign two high school gunslingers would give the currently empty quarterback room some much needed depth. Michigan State also offered three-star Ball State commitment Alessio Milivojevic of Naperville (Ill.) St. Francis recently, as they will look to host him for a visit as well.

As for other visitors on campus, the highest ranked member of the Michigan State 2024 class in wide receiver Nick Marsh is joined by fellow Spartan commitments, DB Justin Denson, OL Mercer and Charlton Luniewski, and LB Jadyn Walker. Class of 2024 targets LB Brady Pretzlaff, TE Wyatt Hook, RB Brandon Tullis and RB Makhi Fraizer are also on campus.

You can find the full visitor list HERE.

HS Scouting Report

Tall, big-framed quarterback with a big arm and considerable developmental upside given his physical tools and room for growth as a player. Checks in between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 and around 210 pounds. Has a big frame and is relatively thin at his weight. Looks to have plenty of room to fill out. A first-year starter as a junior at one of Indiana’s top high school programs. Played behind former 4-star Tayven Jackson.

Touts a big, live arm. The football noticeably jumps out of his hand. Drives the ball downfield without strain. Looks to be among the better downfield passers in the 2024 cycle. Makes high-level, small window throws over the middle of the field. Loose and fluid mechanically. A bouncy mover in the pocket. Shows encouraging reactive quickness in dealing with the pass rush. Sidesteps rushers, resets and fires. Plays with an air of decisiveness that belies his lack of varsity experience. Capable of picking up yards when the play breaks down. Stands in the pocket and is willing to take big hits unlike some of his highly-touted peers.

Plays in a projectable scheme where he works from under center and off of play action. Led Center Grove to a state title in his first year as a starter. Completed 65% of his passes for 2,269 yard and 22 touchdowns against five interceptions, passing for an efficient 10.6 yards per attempt. Plays in a run heavy offense that does not always put the ball in his hands in big situations. Will need to continue honing his overall consistency and field vision, which could come with more in-game reps. Physical tools and room for improvement point to a high, translatable upside with further development.